Here are three takeaways from the San Jose Sharks 8-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

Here are three takeaways from the San Jose Sharks 8-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

1. Still searching for answers 

The Sharks' first three games of the season were encouraging despite their lack of success. They pushed a top team, the Dallas Stars, on the road to a shootout, and the two home games were both winnable. 

San Jose has started each of the last two seasons with extended losing streaks, and although the mentality was to move on from last season, the same issues exist, and the players don't know why. 

"That's a good question. I don't really have the answer for you. If I did, I would have done it last year and the year before that," Nico Sturm said. "The truth is, we did take a big step back these last two games. I thought we looked really, really good the first three games of the season. I thought we looked really good in Dallas on the road against a Stanley Cup contender, and then we took two massive steps back for these last two nights, and it felt a lot like last year on the bench again. I'm sure other guys can attest to that."

"I thought we had a great meeting this morning. Even before, I thought we had good energy in the dressing room," Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said. "Through our meetings throughout the day, I was hoping we would be a little bit more engaged in the hockey game. Then we just let one up early. We're chasing."

2. Vitek Vanecek looks legit

Despite playing the entire game against the Chicago Blackhawks the night before, Vanecek was forced into action again last night when Warsofsky yanked Mackenzie Blackwood. 

Blackwood wasn't to blame, as the onslaught of offense continuously rained on him, but once Vanecek got in the crease, he looked solid. 

Like last season, the Sharks' issue isn't goaltending; it's the defense in front of the goal. 

3. Mario Ferraro has struggled a lot this season

It is time to have a conversation about the San Jose Sharks alternate captain. A true representation of what Ferraro could be still can't be had because he's never played for a winning team. His style of play fits that of a four-six defenseman role, but on the Sharks, he's forced into bigger minutes. 

Ferraro's effort will never be questioned, but he's been a liability on the backend in the last two games.

Ferraro was on the ice for three goals against; two of them were on the powerplay, and he was tied for second on the team with 18 scoring chances. The entire defense wasn't good, but even the eye test can't save Ferraro from last night's performance. 

Ferraro led the team in high-danger scoring chances against with six while he was on the ice. The defenseman was on the ice for just three scoring chances, none of which were high-danger. According to NaturalStatTrick, Ferraro has a team-worst 7.76 expected goals against when he's on the ice this season. 

The Sharks aren't expected to be good; many analytical numbers won't favor them. A new system is in place, and there will be growing pains for a young Sharks team, but the step back taken after the first three games shows how much work they have to do to stay in every game. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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